Darkflame Swords (Magical Flaming Swords):

Flaming weapons are an interesting magic item. They are swords of magic
flame extending from a handle. Sometimes these blades burn red, white,
blue, or yellow. As one might expect, the flaming blade produces light
equal to several torches. This both acts to limit the wielder's night vision
and it is impossible to hide the weapon in the dark.

Darkflame Swords are different. As the name of the sword indicates,
the flames burn black and the weapon produces no light. This means that
the weapon does not give up the wielder's position in the dark. Otherwise,
the magical fire burns just as hot as a normal flaming sword. Length of
the flaming black blades is around the length of a long sword.

Only a handful of alchemists are believed to know how to create these
black flaming blades. Most of the alchemists who know how to make these
weapons are in the Western Empire although a handful are in other lands.
Only a comparatively small number of these Darkflame Swords are believed
to have been created. The first of these swords is believe to have only
have been created less than a hundred years ago.

This first Darkflame Sword is believed to have been commissioned by
an assassin in the Land of the South Wind. Rumor is the assassins was soon
killed by another assassin. Since then, these weapons have become quite
popular. While most popular with assassins and thieves, mercenaries and
other professions also find the weapons extremely useful. As one might
expect, the weapons are more expensive than a normal enchanted flaming
blade although most consider them to be worth the extra cost.

In most cases, the hilt of these swords appear to be made from black
material, usually metal, and are plain and unadorned. The handle, even
when made from metal, is impervious to heat so that the wielder does not
burn themselves with the weapon. The scabbards are usually similar as well.
Simple with little in the form of decorations. As with most flaming weapons,
these swords require a special scabbard which is imperious to fire.

The blade does no damage to targets which are impervious to flame. The
flaming blade is effectively solid and can be used to parry. Even though
the blades are made of fire, these swords are extremely well balanced,
equal to that created by a master craftsman.